RUSSELL: 'IT WAS A GAME OF FINE MARGINS'

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade reflected on defeat to Derby following the Rams’ 2-0 win at Cardiff City Stadium.

A Scott Malone own goal was followed by Chris Martin’s header before half-time, and Steve McClaren’s high-flying side held on for their three points.

“The killer blow was the goal just before half-time,” Russell said. “We were a bit unfortunate with the first goal, as it’s taken a wicked deflection which has trickled into the far corner. The second goal was disappointing, as we didn’t attack the ball well enough and we didn’t deal with the cross, so that was hard on us. It was a game of fine margins. If the Kenwyne header had gone in, maybe would have got us back in the game against a very good Derby side.

“I selected Alex Revell ahead of Kenwyne Jones because of the shape that we went with. We went with one tall striker down the middle and two pacey outlets along the side. It’s not a preference for Alex over Kenwyne. Kenwyne can come on and score off the bench, we all know that. In the shape today, I saw Alex as the main for the role, but the decision might be different for the next game. You want to keep goals in and around your side, but I also see what Alex brings to the table as well. I felt we could have supported Alex a little bit better when we gained possession high up the pitch. That’s been a bit of a theme for me, we don’t seem to be getting the ball into the forwards enough.

“Derby are a very good side, and were probably a shade comfortable when they got that second goal. I felt there were still positives; I thought we kept the ball better than we did in our last performance against Reading.

“There were one or two new faces in there for us today. Lee Peltier was a leader today, and showed what a quality player he was. I signed him when I was at Yeovil, and could see then that he was going to go on to become a very strong Championship player. He wants to lift the players, and the fans, and that’s the kind of player we want at this Football Club.

“There were a couple of half-chances, with one from a corner in the second period. Revell volleyed a half-chance from a corner in the second period. I don’t think it was a game of many chances anyway.

“I think it’s an accumulation of a few things. We’re trying to get the best group together, and we’ve also played six out of the top seven teams recently.

"We’re still working on bringing maybe one or two new in this window."